Jessieville Winona Fourche Ranger District

Area Status: Open

Jessieville/Winona/Fourche Office
8607 N Hwy 7
PO Box 189
Jessieville AR 71949
(501) 984-5313

Jessieville-Winona-Fourche Ranger District covers approximately 406 thousand acres on the north and east end of the Ouachita National Forest. The district is blessed with 11 lakes and numerous creeks and rivers for public fishing and water activities. Recreation opportunities abound. This district has a portion of the Scenic 7 Byway running through it with three Civilian Conservation Corp Camp interpretive sites. It has Richardson Bottoms Wildlife Viewing Area, Winona Scenic Drive, the 9,507 acre Flatside Wilderness area, three walk- in-turkey hunting areas, three designated scenic areas, three developed campgrounds including Lake Sylvia, two public rifle ranges, and 183 miles of trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail spans 71 miles across the district and has nine trail shelters dispersed along its length for hiker use. The district is also home to Camp Ouachita, a historic Girl Scouts Inc. camp built between 1936 and 1940 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). The camp is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only surviving WPA and CCC constructed Girl Scouts Inc. camp in the United States.

A prominent feature of the district, Forked Mountain, is visible from Highway 7 from Nimrod Lake to Jessieville. Read the legend behind this mountain.

At a Glance

Area Amenities:	Interpretive Site,Accessible,Picnic tables,Toilets
Fees:	Current Recreation Schedule and Fees
Best Season:	Spring-Fall
Busiest Season:	Spring
Operated By:	Jessieville-Winona-Fourche Ranger District (501) 984-5313
Information Center:	The Jessieville Visitor Information Center and Ranger Station is located approximately twenty miles north of Hot Springs, Arkansas, at 8607 Highway 7 North. At this location you can browse interpretive displays, gather information and maps about the surrounding area and trails, and enjoy the fully accessible Friendship Trail located behind the office. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8-4 p.m.; information can be obtained at 501-984-5313.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Areas for Mountain Biking at Jessieville Winona Fourche Ranger District

Campground Camping

Areas for Campground Camping at Jessieville Winona Fourche Ranger District

RV Camping

Areas for RV Camping at Jessieville Winona Fourche Ranger District

Group Camping

Areas for Group Camping at Jessieville Winona Fourche Ranger District

Lake Sylvia Recreation Area

Lake and Pond Fishing

Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Jessieville Winona Fourche Ranger District

Day Hiking

Friendship Trail, located behind the Ranger Station. This short 30-minute hike meanders through a mature pine and hardwood forest, is paved and accessible, and features a pond, picnic area, interpretive signs, pavilion and restrooms.